2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate and common faults

849 MOT tests in 2024. 47.2% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

83Well below average
Passed first time47.2%
Failed or needed repairs52.8%
Typical mileage at test142,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 849 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play11.1%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements9.1%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn8.5%
  4. Position lamp: not working6.7%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.6%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side5.9%
  7. Stop lamp: not working5.1%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.5%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value4.5%
    47 marked dangerous
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes48.1%
  2. Lights & electrics44.1%
  3. Suspension37.2%
  4. Steering14.4%
  5. Body & chassis11.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.5%
  7. Tyres6.4%
  8. Emissions & leaks5.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine21.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened17.1%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.4%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)10.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Nissan Primastar?

In 2024, 47.2% of 2008 Nissan Primastar cars passed their MOT first time, across 849 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Nissan Primastar?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2008 Nissan Primastar reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 83, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).